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Will smoking marijuana before my surgery affect anesthesia?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have surgery in the morning to get my gallbladder removed, and I smoked marijuana today. I was wondering if it would affect the anesthesia. I am worried about it.

Kindly help.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

I want to assure you that everything will be fine soon. I do not know how much marijuana you smoked. When it is smoked, the active ingredient THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) gets absorbed into the body quickly. It can cause dizziness, red eyes, dilated pupils, dry mouth, and slowed reaction times. These effects can overlap with anesthesia and may influence how your body responds to it.

So, you should definitely inform the anesthetist about this, so that they can adjust the dosage of anesthetic medications accordingly and monitor you closely.

It is also important to understand that cannabis can sometimes affect heart rate and blood pressure, which are closely monitored during surgery. In some people, it may increase the amount of anesthesia needed, while in others it can enhance sedative effects. This is why your anesthesia team needs accurate information to keep you safe.

Do not feel hesitant or embarrassed to share this detail, as doctors are there to ensure your safety, not to judge. Make sure you follow all pre-surgery instructions, such as fasting guidelines, and avoid any further smoking before the procedure.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.

Answered by

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At April 28, 2026
Reviewed AtMay 5, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Dr. Muhammad Majid Hanif

Cardiology

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